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The Somerleyton Estate is home of food entrepreneur Hugh Somerleyton, his artist wife, and children

Somerleyton is a 5000 acre estate in north Suffolk, encompassing an impressive Victorian mansion, and 12 acres of gardens. The estate is open to the public from Easter through to October, with additional private events being held during the winter months.

Hugh Somerleyton is also the founder of charity WildEast which celebrates the extraordinary acts of ordinary people doing their bit to restore planet earth and sharing their dreams for a wider future - inspiring others to do the same. The ambition is to restore 20% of WildEast back to nature and record 20% of people on the map of dreams.

The job

As Finance Director you will provide strategic financial leadership and oversight across the Somerleyton Estate, which encompasses property management, farming, hospitality, and the private members’ club at Fritton Lake.

The role combines long‑term strategic planning with hands‑on oversight of financial operations, ensuring robust controls, accurate reporting, and sustainable growth. This is a pivotal role in helping the Estate realise its vision of being a commercially resilient, community‑minded, and heritage‑conscious organisation. Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and deliver the Estate’s financial strategy, aligned to its long‑term vision.
• Advise the Estate Owner and Trustees on investment opportunities, diversification, and risk.
• Provide financial leadership across property, agriculture, hospitality, and leisure activities.
• Support succession planning, family governance, and long‑term estate stewardship.
• Oversee timely preparation of management accounts, budgets, forecasts, and statutory accounts.
• Deliver monthly finance packs (P&L, cashflow, variance analysis, departmental profitability).
• Monitor performance across business units and provide insight to managers.
• Ensure compliance with tax, VAT (including partial exemption), and statutory obligations.

Operational Oversight

• Lead the finance team and ensure efficient day‑to‑day operations.
• Maintain strong financial controls, policies, and procedures.
• Manage payroll, supplier payments, contracts, and intercompany recharges.
• Ensure accurate balance sheet reconciliations, including bank and fixed asset registers.
• Support other departments in understanding financial information and improving cost control.

Commercial & Investment

• Appraise capital projects, refurbishments, and land diversification schemes.
• Evaluate opportunities in renewable energy, events, and new ventures.
• Optimise estate income streams and identify ways to improve profitability.
• Manage relationships with banks, auditors, tax advisers, and insurers.

Governance & Risk

• Ensure effective risk management, controls, and insurance cover.
• Oversee estate and family structures for inheritance tax, trusts, and long‑term resilience.
• Provide assurance to Trustees and ensure compliance with relevant governance frameworks.

What you’ll need

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Significant senior finance experience, ideally across estates, property, hospitality, or agriculture.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance tradition and innovation.
• Experience of managing multi‑entity and diversified organisations.
• Excellent communicator, able to influence and support both owners and managers.
• Proven ability to improve financial performance and strengthen controls.
• Knowledge of rural estate and landed estate finance desirable
• Experience with VAT partial exemption, agricultural subsidies, and estate trusts desirable
• Familiarity with inheritance tax planning and family governance structures desirable
• Interest in conservation, heritage, and rural enterprise desirable

Where you’ll be based

The estate offices are based at Somerleyton Hall

What you’ll receive

• Part time, either 3 or 4 days per week
• Flexible working with some hybrid working possible, although regular on site presence required
• 28 days annual leave (fte) including bank holidays

Find out more

To discuss this position in more detail, please send your CV to martin@martin-salter.com or call 07983 967143.

All communication will be treated in complete confidence.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Part‑time

Job function

• Finance and Sales

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